Team Hearts, Team You: Celebrating Pride Month
At Hearts & Science, we believe that our strength lies in our diversity. “Team Hearts, Team You” is a series that celebrates the rich tapestry of individual experiences and backgrounds that make up our agency.
Each episode focuses on a different heritage event, highlighting personal stories from our team members, who bring unique perspectives and insights into our collective culture.
Through candid interviews and personal stories, “Team Hearts, Team You” aims to inspire, educate, and reinforce our commitment to inclusivity. Each serves as a reminder that at Hearts & Science, every voice matters, and every story adds value to our collective mission.
Join us as we explore the journeys that challenge and change us and celebrate the diversity that unites us.
What Pride means to Team Hearts
Hear from a few members of our team at Hearts & Science to discover what Pride means to them.
“Just seeing everybody out there being themselves with no apologies. To me that’s the essence of Pride.”
Maria DePanfilis
Managing Executive Director
Head of Marketing Science & Technology
Hearts & Science
“Pride means to me, celebrating the accomplishments we’ve had as a community and remembering the hardships that we’ve had to endure.”
Kristopher Schmelzer
Director, Media Operations
Hearts & Science
How to be an ally
Being an ally is an important part of celebrating Pride. Learning, taking action, being a good listener, and acknowledging when you might not know the answers—these are just a few ways to show your support for 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, family, and colleagues.
“Being an ally is to be accepting of your friends and family who may think differently than you and supporting them in their decisions.”
Brett Detweiler
Associate Director, Offshore Workflow
Hearts & Science
“It’s about showing up, learning on your own in addition to what I can share with you. Not making it my responsibility to help you along the way.”
Yolanda Richardson
Supervisor, Budget Project Manager,
OMG Black Leadership Network Co-Chair
Hearts & Science
Pride events happening this month
Here’s what we’re doing to recognize Pride Month at Hearts & Science:
- Virtual Untownhall for Pride Season at Omnicom: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 11 am–noon ET
OPEN Pride launched Pride Season at Omnicom with our fourth annual virtual Untownhall discussion in partnership with WE CREATE SPACE. They dove into the multidimensionality of our identities, and we heard from incredible speakers across all our Omnicom ERGs about the uniqueness of their identities. We celebrated the vitality and brilliance that intersectionality adds to the LGBTQ+ community and learned about how the intricacies of our own identities are essential to embodying queerness and reaching our full potential together. - Virtual Boom Box Trivia: Pride Edition! Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 3 pm–4 pm ET
Get ready to jam out! Hearts teams will be going head-to-head over album art, name that tune, music videos, and many more categories. - OPEN Pride NY and SnapPride: June 11, 2024, 5:30 pm–8:30 pm ET
Join OPEN Pride NY and SnapPride for an evening of community, conversation, and celebration at the Snap Penthouse! Enjoy food, drinks, and a surprise performance. - Codebreaker to Catalyst, a special virtual Pride event: June 13, 2024, noon–1 pm ET
Join Annalect in honoring Alan Turing’s impact on modern analytics. Celebrate the pioneering work of Alan Turing as we delve into his profound influence on modern analytics in the marketing industry. This engaging panel discussion will feature inspiring stories from LGBTQ+ analytics professionals who are making their mark today. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate Turing’s legacy and the vibrant contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in analytics.
Show support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Hearts & Science is dedicated to building a space where its employees are recognized and feel seen. There are many ways we are supporting inclusion efforts. Here’s what you can do:
- Join Employee Resource Groups and Business Resource Groups. Hearts & Science participates in Omnicom’s ERGs and OMG’s BRGs with employees as executive sponsors, co-chairs, and members. OPEN Pride walked in the AIDS Walk New York this year. It’s a great way to learn and show support, even as an ally. Ask HR at your company if you can get involved or start a group of your own.
- Challenge assumptions. We can’t look at someone and know their gender identity and sexual identity. Try using non-gendered language in place of assumptions (for example, “Is your partner here?” instead of “Is your wife here?”).
- Speak up. If someone is using homophobic language, call them out on it. A simple “that’s not appropriate” or “we accept everyone here” can be an effective show of solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and make it clear that slurs will not be tolerated.
- Pronouns. Add your pronouns to your signature. It invites others to do the same and opens a space for conversation and understanding.
- Support. Attend a Pride parade or event.
- Give back. Volunteer with a local organization that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
June is Pride Month—a beautiful opportunity to celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Beyond this month, it’s up to us to foster our own learning. Consider implementing the above actions of support and inclusion into our everyday lives.
